Chrysler›Town and Country›2003›3.8L V6/chrysler/town-and-country/2003/3-8l-v6/

RS platform

2003 Chrysler Town and Country — 3.8L V6

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 Town and Country 3.8L V6.

Body VANEngine 3.8L V6Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2003 Chrysler Town and Country represents the RS-platform minivan in its final year before a major redesign, powered by a 3.8L V6 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission and delivering EPA-estimated fuel economy of 16 city, 23 highway, and 19 combined mpg. With a 5-quart oil capacity requiring 5W-30 API-rated lubricant, this generation remained a staple of family haulers, though its 245 owner complaints—particularly concentrated in steering systems—and six recalls place it squarely in the mid-pack of the model’s nearly three-decade reliability arc. While far from the most troubled iteration in the Town and Country’s history, this model year sits above the 1990 low of 14 complaints but well below the 2011 peak of 773, signaling a period of moderate dependability that still demands attention to common wear areas.

Model year2003 2002 2001 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy16/23/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 500 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 500 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215-70R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	05281090AB
Engine air filter	04861480AA
Fuel filter	04809118AE discontinued
Spark plug	SP303917AC
Battery	BB34F101AA
Front wiper blades	05096134AC
Serpentine belt	04593684AA
Thermostat	68210217AA alt 04781674AA
Cabin air filter	82205905

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	200.8 in
Overall width	78.7 in
Overall height	68.9 in
Wheelbase	119.3 in
Curb weight	4627 lb
Track (front / rear)	63 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	16 / 23 / 19 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.5 Pints
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	MS9602

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	40 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	AT: 55 ft-lbs, MT: 70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Upper: 8.8 ft-lbs; Lower: 16.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	16.6 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	PTU: 20.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	PTU: 14.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	180 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Spark Plug Manufacturer	Champion
Spark Plug Gap	0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque	13 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Gap	0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque	13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	ND 8 oil
Optional BCI Group Number	34
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	500 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	53.0-63.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	12
Injector Primary Resistance	13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	100
Engine Compression	100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure	30-80 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	3000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH TEVES / WITH TRW
Torque Caliper to Bracket	26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	125 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH TEVES / WITH TRW
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in / 0.0003 in / 0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0055 in / 0.0014 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

40 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

40 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	45 ft. lbs.	45 ft. lbs
2	65 ft. lbs.	65 ft. lbs
3	65 ft. lbs.	65 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees. Bolt torque after 90 degree turn should be over 90 ft. lbs.; if not replace bolt.	90 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

30 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

30 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; coolant every 100,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 100,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified

Tool required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module

Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified

When needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2003 Chrysler Town and Country falls within a clear upward arc in this model's federal complaint record, sitting just after the 2001 spike of 473 complaints and trending toward the 2011 peak of 773 complaints. The 2003 file itself shows 15 crash-related and 7 fire-related complaints, which are meaningful safety indicators that warrant particular attention during any purchase evaluation. Top complaint categories concentrate on steering (38), air bags (20), electrical system (19), and power train (16) — a distribution that points to issues spread across multiple core systems rather than a single isolated defect, and the data does not specify the underlying root causes. Surrounding-year recall activity is moderate (4–7 recalls per year in the 2001–2014 window), while TSB volume grows from 154 in 2001 to 258 by 2014, suggesting increasingly complex service demands as the generation ages. Taken together, 2003 sits on the rising side of this model's complaint curve, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection focused on steering feel, airbag warning lights, and electrical anomalies is essential before committing.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

245

Owner complaints

15 involved a crash · 7 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’01 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 245 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering38

Air Bags20

Electrical System19

Power Train16

Exterior Lighting13

Visibility10

Engine & Engine Cooling10

Structure9

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 79 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
23-015-20	2020-04-30	Equipment	Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
08-049-20	2020-04-22	Electrical System	Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
3100519	2019-11-20	Structure	Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Town and Country. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 34 battery Vehicles taking 5 qt w/ filter RS-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 05281090AB Engine air filter 04861480AA Fuel filter 04809118AE Spark plug SP303917AC

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 Town and Country 3.8L V6 take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 Town and Country have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.8L V6 get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.